“No more Dictators” Demonstration – report from the Front!

Saturday afternoon strolling towards and through George Square in Glasgow, I noticed a few banner-carrying pedestrians heading in its direction, and a number of police, in twos, converging on the square. What’s going on? I asked a couple of young policemen. A demo in favour of the opposition in Libya and so on, they told me.
By the time we returned through George Square, the demo was in full swing – a good natured small bunch of demonstrators, watched by just two police constables, of which one was female – the only ones in sight within a half mile of George Square. Now, that is sensible policing. Continue reading ““No more Dictators” Demonstration – report from the Front!”

They don’t make ’em like they used to

Having been housebound for the past ten days or so with what might have been swine flu,  I have realised that older films are infinitely better made than the modern ones,  all the special effects and such notwithstanding. I watched one made in the 1950s last week,  set during the Korean War with Robert Mitchum and a very young Robert Wagner.  Very basic sets, but very good camera work.  Then I watched  Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which I already knew, enjoying the fashions, the cat and of course Moon River all over again.  Today’s was A Lonely Place with Humphrey Bogart.  A film noir, with a very good story line and some sharp dialogue and no happy ending.

I did not watch the remake of Brideshead Revisited last night. What’s the point when I remember perfectly the original ITV production?  I have no intention of watching the Coen brothers’ remake of True Grit. Again I just don’t see the point, and I like John Wayne movies.

Is this a sign of old age?  Or perhaps it’s a sign of improving taste and discrimination.

The Landlord is always right

The meeting of blowhards was in full swing. There we were, in a pub, a pub that none of us had been thrown out of. Yet. Discussing the various ejections from other bars because of misadventures. In the company I keep, being thrown out of a saloon is a badge of honour. The Wild West we like to call it.

Billy Hiccup recounted the number of staff that hurled him from the Bull Bar. It took hic of them, he said. Then Dad Longworth Continue reading “The Landlord is always right”

To Anna: March Creative writing Competition

Sunday, 13th February 1887

At first I was unaware that anything had changed. The day progressed along normal lines, in that I had breakfasted early as is my habit, and retired to my study for a few hours to complete another chapter of my diary. I feel the need to tell you at this point Anna; this was not so much for posterity, more a confession of a life squandered, and a need to express regret for all the hurt I have caused to my family. I do not feel a need to broadcast to the world, but I would like a chance perhaps, to explain to those who remain alive.

Our children will judge me harshly, and how can I blame them? You perhaps will have a more enlightened view of my actions; I do hope so. Your understanding now, as I am aging and alone, is becoming ever more important to me. I know I have your forgiveness, and that too is now a source of comfort, and no longer fuelling my bitterness and self-loathing. Such emotions are akin to snakes, their coils, loose at first, tighten until life is squeezed out, and no emotion remains, save a deep and desperate hatred.

Continue reading “To Anna: March Creative writing Competition”

Education or Instruction?

Some time ago I posted a piece with the title It’s Hell For Democracy. Based on the writings of C.S. Lewis, part of its intent was to show that contemporary thinking and criticisms on society are rarely the outcome of original thought. In the post Lewis’s thoughts on education are truly contemporary and yet he published them some 40 years ago. While researching something else I became distracted by a reference to an article on education. The attraction was the in the title Knowledge is not a shovel – Universities and democratic society.

The primary aim of education, however one understands it, must be to nurture the ability to reflect, to develop new ideas, and to implement these collectively, writes Gesine Schwan. Cognitive multilingualism is the only way to prevent the specialization of knowledge narrowing our horizons to an extent that results in structural irresponsibility.

Continue reading “Education or Instruction?”